Addressing a public gathering at Sardar Patel's birthplace at Karamsad in Anand district on the occasion of paying tributes to the two national heroes - Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary and Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, Mr Ahmed Patel, advisor to Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said the two leaders' contribution to the country remains unparalleled.

They sacrificied themselves to build a new India. People of this stature are not born often, Mr Ahmed added.

Both Sardar Patel and Indira Gandhi contributed for India's freedom and the unification of the nation, Mr Patel said.

''Indira Gandhi wanted to create a unified India and in the process sacrificed herself and Sardar also unified the country by bringing the small and independent states through non-violence.

This is not a small issue. We must understand that the hearts of the people need to be united before any real development or progress can take place. Today, we are paying homage to those who unified the country and those who fought for its freedom,'' he said.

''On this solemn occasion, we all must pledge ourselves to build a progressive nation,'' he said.